Orkney & Shetland Minicruise

We fly to Glasgow airport and make our way to the Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport (within walking distance from the airport), where we stay overnight.

After breakfast we travel north, passing by Cairngorms National Park, a mountain paradise populated with rare plants and wildlife and the most extensive Caledonian forests in Scotland. We continue north, past Inverness and up the Eastern flank on the world-famous NC500 route. When we arrive in Thurso, at the very top of Scotland, we check in to the Castletown Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

We start our day with a morning excursion to the most northerly point of mainland Britain. A popular tourist destination, John O’Groats has a population of approximately 300 people and sees over 200,000+ visitors every year! There are spectacular views of Caithness’s north coast and the Orkney Islands, as well as the well-photographed tourist signpost plus various craft and gift shops.

Next, we journey along the coast to our second stop of the day, the magnificent Castle of Mey in Caithness. Built between 1566 and 1572 by the 4^th Earl of Caithness, the castle has a rich history with many structural alterations and changes over the years. In 1952, the semi-derelict castle was purchased by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, restored and ultimately established the Castle of Mey Trust, who would manage the castle and keep the property running.

This morning we embark on our two-night cruise and travel to the Orkney Islands. We journey from Scrabster to Stromness, enjoying a light lunch during the crossing. Our first excursion of the day takes us to the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill to discover the stone-built Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae. This incredible prehistoric village consists of ten stone structures and is one of the best-preserved settlements in Western Europe.

Next, we visit Skail House, one of the most historic manor houses in Orkney. The 17^th-century mansion was home to the 7^th Laird of Breckness, who famously unearthed the Neolithic village of Skara Brae in 1850. Inside the house, we discover Neolithic collections and an exhibition showing what life in the house was like in the 1950s.

We finish our day at the Stones of Stenness or as they are otherwise known, the Ring of Brodgar. This massive Neolithic henge and stone circle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is truly an amazing sight to behold.

After our sightseeing day is complete, we enjoy a lovely dinner in Kirkwall before our overnight sailing to Lerwick, Shetland’s main town and port.

We arrive in the Shetland Islands, enjoying breakfast on board before meeting our local guide for a full day of exploration and discovery. The breathtaking Shetland islands showcase some of the most incredible vistas and spectacular wildlife – from seals and otters to seabirds and orcas, keep your eyes peeled for a chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural setting.

We continue our day with a visit to Jarlshof to explore the ancient prehistoric history of the Shetland Islands. This fascinating site is home to the first settlement in Shetland, around 2700BC. Highlights include Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Norse settlements and views of the West Voe of Sumburgh.

We finish our day with a rare opportunity to see the adorable native Shetland ponies at Carol’s Ponies before boarding our ferry for an overnight sailing to Aberdeen.

We re-board our coach and make our way from Aberdeen to our overnight in Glasgow Airport, stopping en-route for a break in the lovely city of Perth.

From our hotel we walk the short distance to Glasgow Airport for our return flight home.